First-half analysis: TCU 28, Ole Miss 0

Five thoughts about the first half from staff writer Carlos Mendez:

The start of the game was everything TCU could have asked for, maybe more than it could have asked for. The game started with a three-and-out, the 91st forced by the defense this year, then a big-play touchdown, then a takeaway, then another touchdown. It was the ninth 14-0 lead of the season for the Horned Frogs, and it let them play downhill.

The Horned Frogs were trying to deflate Ole Miss as quick as possible, which may explain why they tried a second trick play in the first quarter after the wide-receiver pass from Kolby Listenbee had already worked. Instead, sloppy ballhandling gave Ole Miss a chance to stop the bleeding, already down 14-0.

The Horned Frogs’ aggressiveness on offense showed on a third-and-1 from the Ole Miss 35 in the first quarter. Instead of bull-rushing ahead to pick up the first down, co-offensive coordinator Doug Meacham went deep and for the end zone. The play failed, but the Horned Frogs used fourth down to convert. They never thought about a field goal.

The offense provided the fireworks, but the defense was its usual self in the first half. The Frogs allowed one completion and one first down for the first 20 minutes of the game. Ole Miss quarterback Bo Wallace was harrassed and sacked. The running lanes were filled.

For a half at least, TCU left no question about its playoff-worthiness. If there was much, anyway. The Horned Frogs dazzled the best defense in the SEC, and their own defense reminded people that they are the foundation of Gary Patterson’s program. By the end of the half, Ole Miss did not know which way was up.

This story was originally published December 31, 2014 at 1:06 PM with the headline "First-half analysis: TCU 28, Ole Miss 0."